College students: Register to vote

College students who are packing up and going away for college should add one more thing to their list of necessary items: a voter registration card.

U.S. citizens who will be 18 years of age by Nov. 4 are eligible now to register to vote. By registering to vote in their hometown, students will be allowed to cast a vote by simply requesting an absentee ballot when the time comes. Students should not count on registering in their college towns: Some municipalities have set up roadblocks preventing college students from voting, and any prospective voter must present an ID with a current address on it in order to register - something a busy student may be hard-pressed to procure before the registration deadline of Oct. 7, 2008.

Registration can be done in person at a number of locations in DuPage County, including village and township offices, some libraries and park districts. To determine the closest registration location, please visit the DuPage Election Commission Web site at www.dupageelections.com. Once registered, a voter may decide to take advantage of the variety of flexible options available to cast a vote. Instructions to get an absentee ballot are available on the Web site, as well as an explanation of early voting, which may benefit some. If a student is unable to register to vote by Oct. 7, there is a grace period registration which can be done in person at the DuPage Election Commission. Check the Web site for details.

As students pack their boxes to head off to college they should tuck in that final touch: Democracy and the empowerment of the vote.

Kathy Slovick

DAWN (DuPage Against War Now)

Glen Ellyn